Elmer Smith 6 mile marker! My SGV TNT fellow team member Judy, and me 1/2 way in to our 1st 12 mile run on 1/19/13

I never thought I would be able to run 12 miles

I never thought that I would enjoy exercise

I never thought that I would love being part of a team

I never thought I would be running my 1st 10k race this weekend

I never thought I would meet so many amazing people, with so many amazing stories

I never thought I would be able to say : "I'm training for the L.A. Marathon, and I am loving it!"

I did, I am, I do, I will, I'm thankful, I can :) Go Team!

Thank You so much to ALL who have contributed so far to the LLS through my fundraising page. Your generosity is sincerely appreciated and admired by myself, my fellow TNT team members and everyone you will be helping with your contribution to fight and find cures for blood cancers.

Photo: Kate Miss

Models: Laure Joliet, Emilie Halpern

Hair, Makeup: Beatrice Valenzuela

Necklace: Bari Ziperstein/ B.Zippy & Co.

I am currently training for the L.A. Marathon...my very first! I am running with my best friend, Sandra. We are both members of the LSS San Gabriel Valley Team In Training.

We are both attempting to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)--which uses such funding to research cures and treatments for blood cancers. I've met the most incredible group of people with TNT, some of them cancer survivors, some of them family members or friends of those who are currently fighting their battles. Some are running in the memory of others.

I am running for friends and relatives I have lost to cancer, as well as for our family friend Ruthie, who is getting discharged from the hospital today after receiving successful treatment for her Lymphoma! Go Ruthie!! Go Team!!

Onto the Promo part of this: If you make a donation via this web LLS Fundraising Page, I have some deals for you! In addition to being a Team in Training Member...I am a textile and clothing designer. My line is called ERMIE, and my shop is here: www.ermie.bigcartel.com

Make a donation of $1 or More : You will receive a "match'' for your dollar amount donated (up to $200) in store credit to spend on any ERMIE garment or home good (sorry- Cheryl Cambras Sweaters, BZippy and Co., and Debra Baxter DB/CB jewelry are excluded from this promotion).

Make a donation of $250 or More: You will receive $200 in store credit and a pair of Hand Dyed Indigo Leggings.

Make a donation of $350 or More: You will receive $200 in store credit, a pair of Hand Dyed Indigo Leggings, and a Hand Dyed Indigo Gauze Scarf.

Make a Donation of $450 or More: You will receive $250 in store credit, a pair of Hand Dyed Indigo Leggings, and a Hand Dyed Indigo Gauze Scarf.

Make a Donation of $650 or More: You will receive $300 in store credit, a pair of Hand Dyed Indigo Leggings, and a Hand Dyed Indigo Gauze Scarf.

Make a Donation of $800 or More: You will receive $300 in store credit, a pair of Hand Dyed Indigo Leggings, and a Hand Dyed Indigo Gauze Scarf, and a Custom Made Top of your Choice.

Make a Donation of $1000 or More: You will receive $400 in store credit, a pair of Hand Dyed Indigo Leggings, and a Hand Dyed Indigo Gauze Scarf, and a Custom Made Top of your Choice, and another Custom Garment of Your Choice!

Again, Store Credit will apply to ERMIE Garments and Home Goods Only (Cheryl Cambras Sweaters, BZippy and Co., and Debra Baxter DB/CB jewelry are excluded). The credit may be applied to any one time order, it does not have an expiration date.

If you are interested in purchasing Cheryl Cambras, B.Zippy & Company , or DB/CB items that are marked coming soon, please email me: helloermie (at) gmail (dot) com

If you donate, I personally will email you your individualized credit codes, so please bear with me and give me up to 48-72 hours to do so! This promo cannot be applied to past or existing orders. Please email me at helloermie (at) gmail (dot) com if you have any questions at all!! EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS! NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL! Thank YOU!

This Promotion will run through Wed. 1/16/13 Midnight, PST.

*****

Also, Not affiliated with this promo or the LLS at all, but it is definitely worth reading: Michael Popp's Tumblr Mike's story was brought to my attention via Doug Johnston's Instagram. I don't know Mike at all, but I was incredibly moved by his experieces. Mike is currently receiving treatment for a very aggressive strain of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Please take a look!

Dear Friends,

Welcome to my Team In Training home page.

I'm running to find a cure! My goal is to complete the Los Angeles Marathon 2013 and raise $1800 at the same time!

It is my time to accomplish something great and to give back at the same time.

I have a mission - to help find cures and more effective treatments for blood cancers. To accomplish that mission, I’m participating in a sports endurance event as a member of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training. Like the other members of TNT, I will be raising funds to help find cures and better treatments for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma. I’m improving the quality of my life by participating and with your support, I can help improve the quality of life for patients and their families as well.

I have many connections to cancer through family and friends and I'm sure so do you.

Please make a donation in support of my efforts with Team In Training and help advance the research for cures. Thank You!